Basic Findings of Special & General Relativity

In summary, Special and General Relativity have some basic findings such as the constancy of the speed of light and the slowing of clocks with increased speed for SR, and the curvature of spacetime and the principle of equivalence for GR. They can be seen as two perspectives of the same theory, with SR being the special case of GR in flat spacetime.
  • #1
shounakbhatta
288
1
Special and General relativity --Basic findings

Hello All,

Kindly note that it is not a home work.

The Special Relativity (SR) and the General Relativity (GR) has some basic findings. I mean to say that say, SR:has some findings like:

(a) The speed of light c is constant.
(b) The faster you move, the clock runs slow.

Similarly GR has some:

(a) Spacetime is curved
(b) The principle of Equivalence.

Can anybody please list what are the findings (or whatever you might call) of both SR and GR?

Thanks.
 
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  • #2
You cannot consider SR and GR in this way. They are not different theories in that sense. GR postulates that SR holds in local coordinate bases which are transported along the worldlines that represent 'observers'. These worldlines could be in curved spacetime. The 'findings' of SR all emerge from the Minkowski geometry, and this is preserved in local frames.

Another way of thinking about the relationship between SR and GR is that SR is GR in globally flat spacetime, or GR is SR with curved spacetime.
 

Related to Basic Findings of Special & General Relativity

1. What is the difference between special and general relativity?

Special relativity deals with the laws of physics in non-accelerating reference frames, while general relativity includes the effects of acceleration and gravity.

2. How did Einstein come up with the theory of relativity?

Einstein developed the theory of relativity based on his observation that the laws of physics should be the same for all observers, regardless of their relative motion.

3. Can you explain the concept of time dilation in relativity?

Time dilation refers to the phenomenon where time appears to pass slower for objects moving at high speeds. This is due to the fact that the passage of time is relative and depends on the observer's frame of reference.

4. What is the significance of the speed of light in relativity?

The speed of light, denoted by the letter 'c', is a fundamental constant in nature and plays a crucial role in the theory of relativity. According to special relativity, the speed of light is the maximum achievable velocity in the universe.

5. How has the theory of relativity been confirmed by experiments?

Several experiments, including the famous Michelson-Morley experiment, have confirmed the predictions of the theory of relativity. Other experiments, such as the observation of gravitational lensing, have also provided evidence for the validity of general relativity.

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